Quincy Reporter

Quincy Park District Board of Commissioners met June 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

ROLL CALL

President Jones called the meeting to order and upon the roll being called the following members were physically present at said location: President Jarid Jones, Vice-President Mark C. Philpot, Commissioner Barb Holthaus Commissioner Patty McGlothlin, Commissioner Alan Hickman, Commissioner John Frankenhoff. No Park Commissioner was permitted to attend the meeting by video or audio conference.

Members Absent: None.

Also in Attendance: Executive Director–Rome Frericks, Director of Parks–Matt Higley, Director of Business Services-Brian Earnest, Director of Program Services–Mike Bruns, Director of Marketing/Operations–Marcelo Beroiza, Director of Golf-David Morgan and Board Attorney David Penn.

President Jones led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CONSENT AGENDA

President Jones asked if there were any objections or changes to the May 10, 2023, Regular Board meeting minutes or to the check register and upon hearing none, he announced they were approved by unanimous consent.

PUBLIC INPUT

Michael Eastman asked the Commissioners if the site at Indian Mounds where the building had been demolished is going to be cleaned up. He is willing to volunteer his time to help. Carol Hochgraber lives next door to Westview soccer field. She is strongly opposed to the gravel parking lot being installed citing problems with dust, weeds, noise, security, and runoff. She suggested that a long-term solution be put in place instead of the temporary gravel parking lot.

BOARD INFORMATION/EDUCATION

Westview Irrigation Presentation – Les Hill reported that he did an assessment on the current system citing problems with high maintenance, poor design and deterioration. He has designed a new system for the entire course. To control water consumption the installation of irrigation heads that have a separate control system for each individual head. Water control for only primary play areas which are the tees, the greens and the fairways. Installation of head by head controls eliminates overwatering. Replacement of the current PVC piping with HDPE pipe. He explained that there has been a 30% cost increase with parts due to demand over the last year. Current budget is 2.8 million for all 27 holes. Splitting installation will actually increase costs approximately $120,000 due to construction start and stop fees. Installation timing will take approximately 11 months from approval to completion. Closure during installation will be only one hole at a time approximately 1 to 2 days for each hole.

CORRESPONDENCE-None

VOLUNTEERS

Executive Director Frericks thanked all the master gardeners that help the Park District every year. There is a nice list of baseball and t-ball coaches this year which is a great help.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Frericks reported that QBAREA meeting today hosted several groups and made good progress with a successful event. He stated that a meeting with QMG Energy resulted in QMG Energy preparing an assessment on our buildings for rooftop installation of solar panels to help with energy costs.

DIRECTORS’ REPORTS

Director Higley reported the marina’s dredge site is now leveled out and ready for dredging. Marina has 113 rented slips. 13 are new renters. 17 that were renters have not renewed. Last year we had 115 so rentals are down by 2. Berrian bathroom installation is slated for early fall.

Director Earnest reported his training is on track. He will be attending IGFOA training within the next couple weeks.

Director Hilgenbrinck added that the Park District has received a FOIA request and he has forwarded that to the Commissioners.

Director Bruns stated that Indian Mounds opened earlier this month. Averaging 205 a day. Batting cages are open with new machines. Lights at Blessing Field should be addressed tomorrow. Baseball leagues are ending this week. Only two games rained out this season. T-ball just started last week and softball starts the next week. 3 on 3 basketball games are going well at Berrian. Summer Adventures, family tennis and Special Pops all started this week.

Director Morgan reported they are ready for the Little People’s Event this weekend. The golf course has been very busy. The PGA event getting Veterans Back Into Golf was a great success. The participants graduated today and received a card that will get them into every PGA event.

Director Beroiza we have the Kiwanis Youth Grant this year making it the second consecutive year we have these funds. We are working with Quincy University students who work in our parks under a work study grant. Last year there was 350 students and next year is projected to be 500 students.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Committee – Commissioner Philpot reported that on the financial reports one topic of interest is the expense that the District is incurring to run the Adams Fiber wi-fi to the marina. Director Hilgenbrinck added that Adams wanted to know if we were going to continue with the project. If we were not they wanted to return the merchandise and get a restocking fee. Commissioner Philpot added that project total is $15,000. President Jones added that the marina members agreed to pay $6,000 and the Park District would cover the rest but as of today’s date no funds have been given to the Park District. COMMISSIONER FRANKENHOFF MADE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES SO CHRIS GRIGGS MAY SPEAK TO THE BOARD SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN. UNANIMOUS. Chris Griggs reported that he felt there was some confusion. The marina members were going to raise funds this year with their boating events and they did not start until May 31st. The Yacht Club has committed over $1,000. There will be an event at the boat club that will bring in a couple of thousand dollars. Several entities in town agreed to sponsor signage to help with their commitment. Vice President Philpot asked Mr. Griggs what was keeping them from raising the funds. Mr. Griggs stated that their season doesn’t start until May 31st and he had to reschedule one event in June. Vice President Philpot advised Mr. Griggs that the difficulty in procuring those items and getting it set up is we’re on a time frame. And we are responsible to our vendor who we have had an outstanding relationship for a long time to be able to execute this action in a timely fashion. Commissioner McGlothlin asked Mr. Griggs if they had the summer to raise the funds is he sure he would be successful and Mr. Griggs said they would raise the funds. COMMISSIONER FRANKENHOFF MADE A MOTION TO RESUME REGULAR SESSION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PHILPOT. UNANIMOUS.

Commissioner Frankenhoff asked the Board if any member did not want to honor the commitment to keep the marina open through 2025. All Commissioners are in favor or keeping the commitment and then in the Planning Session in 2025 they will revisit it. Commissioner Frankenhoff explained the pros and cons of returning the equipment and the loss of funds with a restocking fee against keeping the equipment and letting the marina members raise the money over the summer.

Quincy Park Foundation– Commissioner McGlothlin reported that there was a meeting today and reported all officers were re-elected and held their positions. Commissioner Holthaus reported that their next meeting is in September.

Quincy City Planning- President Jones reported there was nothing that involved the Park District at the meeting.

Quincy Riverfront Development Committee- President Jones reported that the next meeting is June 20th and he will introduce himself to the committee.

Lorenzo Bull House- Commissioner Holthaus reported that there is nothing to report at this time.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS- None.

NEW BUSINESS

Bid for Clat Adams Park Concrete Replacement Phase 1 Change Order Number 1: Recommended Approval (VOICE VOTE)

Director Higley reported that large voids were discovered under the existing sidewalk. 15 tons of rock and 65 more feet of sidewalk were added. All these changes incurred an increase of $4,500 making the contract price $19,000. Staff recommends approval of the contract change order number 1. COMMISSIONER FRANKENHOFF MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HICKMAN. UNANIMOUS.

Bid for Moorman Park Sidewalk Replacement: Recommended Approval (VOICE VOTE) Director Higley advised that the sidewalk from Blessing Field down to the restroom is a trip hazard. Two proposals were received with low bid from Derhake Construction for $11,600. Staff recommends approval of low bid from Derhake Construction of $11,600. COMMISSIONERF HOLTHAUS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED BY VICE PRESIDENT PHILPOT. UNANIMOUS.

Bid for South Park Sidewalk Replacement: Recommended Approval (VOICE VOTE) Director Higley explained this is the replacement of sidewalk that runs along the back on the dam at South Park. Two proposal were received with low bid from Derhake Construction for $15,100. Staff recommends approval of low bid from Derhake Construction of $15,100. COMMISSIONER PHILPOT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN. UNANIMOUS.

Bid for Madison Park Pickle Ball Courts Repairs and Color Finishing: Recommended approval (VOICE VOTE)

Director Higley said that this was for recoating the court and for power washing the tennis court. The two tennis courts will be moved so they will be north/south along with new nets and posts. One bid was received from All Weather Courts for $25,280. Staff recommends approval of the bid submitted by All Weather Courts for $25,280. COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HICKMAN. UNANIMOUS.

Bid for Parking Lot at Nature Trails East by 35th & Kochs Lane: Recommended approval. (VOICE VOTE)

Executive Director Frericks reported that due to the popularity of the nature trails east staff is recommending adding a 24 stall parking lot. Cost will come from excess GO Bonds. Staff recommends approval of a low bid from Derhake Construction of $14,300. COMMISSIONER HICKMAN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FRANKENHOFF. UNANIMOUS.

PUBLIC INPUT

Vice President Philpot addressed the Board reporting that members of the Park Board had received an email from an outgoing commissioner and he addressed his feelings about the change in board leadership. Vice President Philpot said he has every right to do that but he wanted to go on the record by saying that the citizens of Quincy should be rest assured that they do not have three new rookies on the Board. They have individuals who have been very active in their communities. Mr. Hickman is not only a small business owner but he’s also running a foundation for a number of years. Mr. Jones is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has been doing his work in making the City of Quincy a better place to live for some time. Vice President Philpot said he is probably the only one that has been an elected city official prior to coming to Quincy and serving on no less than 12 boards between Illinois and Iowa. So the fact that you are getting individuals that are not well versed in what’s going on as far as it relates to finances is absolutely not accurate. The direction of this Board is going to be one of transparency, inclusion and bringing the information to the people and bringing the people back into the parks. Those parks are the ones that children with autism use. Those parks are the ones that the single mother that needs to relax her child and calm their merits, that’s the park that she takes the child to. That veteran that comes to the park that might be considering self-harm and needs that place to have a little peace and quiet and tranquility, that’s the park that we’re going to serve. That population and every population between 5th and all the way to 45th we are going to be inclusive for everyone. We want to also recognize the excellent work that has been done on the finances on this Board and for this District is not the result of one individual. It is the result of hard work of individuals who are sitting in this room and individuals who are not sitting in this room. Their hard work deserves to be commended because it is their hard work every day that is a direct result that the Board is in the excellent financial situation that it is in. And under this administration they are going to be welcomed, they are going to be appreciated and they are going to receive the respect that they are due and that’s all that I have to say.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Jones asked for a motion to move into Executive Session to discuss item number 3 under the open meetings act.

The purpose of discussing a vacancy in a public office. COMMISSIONER HINKMAN MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTES WERE CAST AND RECORDED:

COMMISSIONER FRANKENHOFF YES

COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN YES

COMMISSIONER HICKMAN YES

COMMISSIONER HOLTHAUS YES

VICE PRESIDENT PHILPOT YES

PRESIDENT JONES YES

The portion of the Regular meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 7:25 p.m.

ACTIONS AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:

ADJOURNMENT

With no other business to discuss at 7:33 p.m., COMMISSIONER MCGLOTHLIN MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY PRESIDENT JONES TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. UNANIMOUS. PRESIDENT JONES DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned.

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